Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ1 Review
The DMC-TZ1, announced in February 2006, takes the successful big zoom formula established with the FZ series of cameras and squeezes it into a much more compact body. The result is the world's smallest optically stabilized 10x zoom camera (on a technical note this was also the world's first use of a retractable lens system with folded optics). Whilst not what you'd call 'pocketable' (unless you have very large pockets), the TZ1 is considerably less bulky than its 'SLR-like' siblings (and their competitors), and, though it offers little in the way of truly manual control, it is packed with features. So does the TZ1 prove that smaller can be better, or is it a case of diminishing returns? Let's find out, starting as usual with the headline features:
- 5.0 million effective pixels
- 10x (35-350mm equiv.) Leica DC Vario-Elmarit optical zoom
- MEGA OIS image stabilization
- Venus III Engine processor
- Fast Linear autofocus system
- High Resolution (270,000 pixel) 2.5-inch LCD
- Movies up to 840 x 480 pixels (WVGA) @ 30 fps
- 18 scene modes
Color options
As is the case with most of Panasonic's Lumix models the TZ1 is available in either silver or black (though this may not be the case for every country and / or every retailer).
DMC-TZ1 specifications
| Street price | • US: $300 • UK: £225 |
|---|---|
| Body Material | Metal |
| Sensor | • 1/2.5 " Type CCD |
| Image sizes | • 2560 x 1920 |
| Movie clips | • 640 x 480 @ 10 / 30fps |
| File formats | • JPEG (Exif 2.2) • DPOF • QuickTime Motion JPEG |
| Lens | • 35-350mm equiv |
| Image stabilization | MEGA OIS: mode 1 / 2 |
| Conversion lenses | None |
| Digital zoom | 4x, up to 40x with optical zoom, up to 50x with extra optical zoom |
| Focus | • Auto Focus system • Normal / Macro (dial) • Continuous AF on / off |
| AF area modes | • 1 / 9 point • 1 / 3 point high speed • Spot |
| AF assist lamp | Yes |
| Focus distance | • Normal: 40cm-infinity (wide) 200cm-infinity (tele) • Macro / Simple / Motion: 5cm-infinty (wide) 100cm-infinity (tele) |
| Metering | • Intelligent Multiple • Center weighted • Spot |
| ISO sensitivity | • Auto • ISO 80 • ISO 100 • ISO 200 • ISO 400 • ISO 800 • ISO 800-1600 High Sensitivity Mode |
| Exposure compensation | • +/- 2EV • 1/3 EV steps |
| Exposure bracketing | • +/- 1/3EV -1EV • 3 frames |
| Shutter speed | 1/2000 - 8secs |
| Aperture | F2.8-5.0 (2 steps / wide) F4.2-7.1 (2 steps / tele) |
| Modes | • Auto |
| Scene modes | • Portrait • Soft Skin • Scenery • Sports • Night Portrait • Night Scenery • Self-Portrait • Food • Party • Candle • Fireworks • Starry sky • Beach • Aerial Photo • Snow • High Sensitivity • Baby 1 / 2 |
| White balance | • Auto |
| Self timer | • 10 or 2 secs |
| Continuous shooting | • 3 / 2fps max 5 images (Standard mode) • 3 / 2fps max 3 images (Fine mode) |
| Image parameters | Cool, Warm, B&W, Sepia |
| Flash | • Built-in • Auto • Auto with red-eye reduction • Slow synch with red-eye reduction • Forced on / off • Range (Auto ISO, wide): 0.3 - 3.7m • Range (Auto ISO, wide): 1.0 - 2.4m |
| Viewfinder | None |
| LCD monitor | • 2.5-inch TFT LCD • 207,000 pixels • Field of view 100% |
| Connectivity | • USB • DC in • AV out |
| Print compliance | PictBridge |
| Storage | • 13.4MB internal memory • SD / MMC compatible |
| Power | • Li-ion battery pack included • Optional AC adapter |
| Weight (inc batt) | 234 g (7.3 oz) |
| Dimensions | 112 x 58.1 x 40.2 mm (4.41 x 2.29 x 1.58 in) |
If you're new to digital photography you may wish to read the Digital
Photography Glossary before diving into this article (it may help
you understand some of the terms used).
|
Conclusion / Recommendation / Ratings are based on the opinion of the reviewer, you should read the ENTIRE review before coming to your own conclusions. Images which can be viewed at a larger size have a small magnifying glass icon in the bottom right corner of the image, clicking on the image will display a larger (typically VGA) image in a new window. To navigate the review simply use the next / previous page buttons, to jump to a particular section either pick the section from the drop down or select it from the navigation bar at the top. DPReview calibrate their monitors using Color Vision OptiCal at the (fairly well accepted) PC normal gamma 2.2, this means that on our monitors we can make out the difference between all of the (computer generated) grayscale blocks below. We recommend to make the most of this review you should be able to see the difference (at least) between X,Y and Z and ideally A,B and C. |
 |
This article is Copyright 2006 Simon Joinson / dpreview.com and the review in part or in whole may NOT be reproduced in any electronic or printed medium without prior permission from the author. For information on reproducing any part of this review (or any images) please contact: Phil Askey
